How about perfect anime ingredients?
A complex and unpredictable plot.
Characters with flaws and real emotions.
Love story mixed in.
Character development.
Good animation.
Death of important character.
Closure.

School Uniforms: The characters seem to rather enjoy doing everything in their school uniform. (Kuwabara – Yu Yu Hakusho; Kagome – Inuyasha)

From Villain to Hero: Every anime has at least one character that makes the transition from bad to good. In most cases it takes a hard fought fight with the hero for this character to see a new light. (Aoshi – Rurouni Kenshin; Hiei – Yu Yu Hakusho)

Villains True Form: As the villains demise looms near they usually have one final transformation to spare. Apart from the obvious increase in strength, they typically get bigger and uglier as well. (Kuro Momotaro – Yu Yu Hakusho; Freeza – DBZ)

Sidekicks: The main hero normally has a number of friends. One of which is there trusted sidekick. (Gauri – Slayers; Kuwabara – Yu Yu Hakusho)

Good ones! Especially about the school uniforms. Why do they wear those things 24/7?!

Got another.

Flimsy Shirts: A powerful technique leads to NO shirt! Thank god the pants seem to be more resistant.

When the anime takes place in Japan: A foreigner will almost always have blonde hair and blue eyes especially if the foreigner is female. The foreigner will almost always correct the English teacher and speak a litte English him/herself (which is usually butchered..hypocrite).

Single Parent: Typically the main character has but a single parent. Unless of course they are already an orphen. A commonly used alternative.

...and even if they have parents, their parents will never mind that they disappear off for days or weeks at a time (Kagome - Inuyasha; Yusuke - Yuyuhakusho; Recca - Flame of Recca - though it's probably redundant mentioning that since it is a knock off of Yuyuhusho anwyay)